Step 3: Planting The Tree & Hiding the Cache

The instructions you prepared for the cache will be really useful for you to plant the tree. In my case, I'm planting the Japanese Red Maple according to all the instructions at a location in Chicago. I'm also placing some of those seeds in the cache as trade items.

What you would do with your cache is upto you. You decide the seeds you want to trade, download the template "Seed_Planting_Instructions_Template.doc" and put in all the information the seed traders would want access to so that they can plant and maintain the tree.

Here, in this project there are two things to plant/hide and maintain. The tree itself which needs constant maintenance and the cache which constantly keeps changing based on geocaching members visiting, logging and trading away.

Firstly, you plant your tree during the best time of the year for them to start.

Secondly, you take your prepared cache with seeds, instructions, instruction template copies for visitors to take, geocoins, tradable items and other items (part of a normal geocache which you can read about at their site) to the location where you planted the tree.

Thirdly, in accordance with the guidelines at geocaching.com, you hide it in a location in and around the latitudinal/longitudinal location of your tree and submit the cache to geocaching.com in the form provided by them at this link.

With this step you will be all set to watch your tree grow and maintain the cache that is close to it.
Watch it as people visit your tree. Notice if they actually engage actively in seed trade. If they do, t
they will start their own geocache-a-forest with this DIY kit. Eventually, you have a geocache that is attached to a location where your tree is growing with people logging in the stage at which your tree is in, documenting its life along with the life of your cache.

Oh, cool!&nbsp; I love the idea of giving away/swapping tree seeds at your cache.&nbsp; <br /> Brilliant, and such a great fit for the location.<br />

Are you saying that in placing the cache, you also plant a seed?&nbsp; Have you checked with the landowner before placing the seed?&nbsp; If Groundspeak caught wind of your idea, you'd likely be banned.<br /> <br /> I would argue that planting a tree violates the following guideline, &quot;Caches that deface public or private property, whether a natural or man-made object, in order to provide a hiding place, a clue or a logging method.&quot;&nbsp; Although the tree isn't the cache, unfortunately you don't have a right to place one without the landowner's consent.&nbsp; Doing so openly gives geocaching a bad name.<br /> <br /> If, however, the tree seeds are put in a geocache as swag, it might work.&nbsp; Unfortunately your phrase&nbsp;&quot;as long as they are maintained well by the owners&quot; is the clincher.&nbsp; Depending on your area, caches&nbsp;often get wet, and the seeds could be ruined.&nbsp; That, and often folks don't inspect the swag; they just sign the logbook.

Yes. I include that as a disclaimer in the cache. And yes, I am aware of the guidelines at geocaching.com. The last thing I would do is go against them. And Yes, I have permission from the landowner. The seeds are just like a trade item and this activity is just an option. Yes, you are right when you say&nbsp; &quot; folks don't inspect the swag; they just sign the logbook.&quot; which is well and good. Thanks a lot for pointing these out. I'm well aware of these concerns.<br />

Oh.. yeah.. I&nbsp;was thinking how I would get around that problem. Desiccants might be the solution. Thanks iPodGuy! The cache should be hidden by next week. <br />

I would really recommend a packet or two of desiccant&nbsp; inside the cache.&nbsp; You don't want any of those seeds to sprout!<br /> <br /> I kind of like the trading seeds idea of a cache.<br />